Serial number check on Colt .25 ACP

[Mike Irwin]

My uncle showed me one of his handguns tonight, a perfectly beautiful Colt .25 ACP.

It's got a little holster wear, but doesn't look like it's been shot more than a few times over the years. Color case hardening is still bright and clear on the safety and the trigger.

The serial is 245XXX.

Anyone have any idea when it was made, and an approximate value for one in 98 to 99 percent condition?

 

[Mike Irwin]

What?

No one has a Colt serial number list for this little critter?

 

[johnwill]

Mike,

According to the serial number you suppled, it would have been made in in 1920, and exactly .25 Hammerless pistols are said to have been made that year! For more info, here's where I came up with the serial number info. Colt Auto Page

I have one of similar description, though my serial number is higher, 352xxx. Mine has no wear that I can see, only a couple of very light little scratches, almost 100%. I've seen one recently in a similar condition to mine, it was listed at $450. I think that may be a little high, but it's worth at least $400 IMO. Here's my little darlin'

 

[Mike Irwin]

John,

Thanks for the link.

My uncle's has the black plastic, bakelite, or hard rubber grips.

 

[Mike Irwin]

John,

I think you're reading the serial number chart wrong.

There are 4 colums.

Columns 1 and 3 are production years, and columns 2 and 4 are yearly production totals. Took me a few minutes to figure it out, that total production for 1920 was something like 43000, but production for 1941, the year beside 1920, was a total production of 4 for the year.

 

[johnwill]

Well, you're right, but there are six columns, not four! I see that I just sorta' ignored a couple of them and made silly assumptions. At least I was able to find the data, I didn't say I knew how to read.

 

[Zundfolge]

awww...now if that thing ain't as cute as a bugs ear I don't know what is